Political Prisoner Profile

AAPP CASE NO.: 0134

NAME OF POLITICAL
PRISONER: Khun Bedu @ Lwee Zee Nyein
GENDER: Male Ethnicity: Kayan
DATE OF BIRTH: 1984 Age: 25 in 2009
RELIGION:
PARENTS NAME: U Ngekare Moe & Daw Ar Pine
EDUCATION: 2nd year university student
Joint Secretary of Kayan New Generation Youth (KNGY),
OCCUPATION:
Executive Committee Member of Kayah State Youth (KSY) Kayan New Generation
LAST ADDRESS: Pekhon Township, Shan State Youth
PHOTO 14 September
ARREST DATE: 10 May 2008 DATE: 2009 (KNGY)
SECTION OF LAW: 33, 505/B, 17/1, 17/2, 13/1, 51
SENTENCING HISTORY: 37 years
COURT HEARING:
NAME OF PRISON: Transferred to Taungoo prison from Loikaw prison
RELEASE DATE:
IMMEDIATE HEALTH CONCERNS:

CURRENT STATUS SUMMARY:

On 28 July 2009 it was reported he had been transferred from Loikaw prison to Taungoo prison in Pegu
Division. (RFA 28072009) His family were not properly informed of the prison transfer by authorities.
They only found out about the transfer when they went to Loikaw prison for a routine monthly prison
visit and found out their son had been moved. (Kayan New Generation Youth, July 2009).

CAREER BACKGROUND:
Khun Bedu became a member of Kayan New Generation Youth (KNGY) in 2004.

On 12 August 2007 he was appointed joint-secretary of KNGY. He also played an important role in the
foundation of the Kayan National Youth (KNY) in March 2008. As joint-secretary of the KNGY Khun
Bedu organized and performed political empowerment and human rights trainings. The trainings topics
covered constitutions, human rights, community organizing, election systems and other political
subjects.

Khun Bedu initiated and proposed the founding of Kayah State Youth (KSY), which was founded on 21
April 2008. KSY is comprised of ten youth groups from Kayah State and Kayan regions, and KNGY is
one of the ten groups. The KSY conducted campaigns against the regime’s constitutional referendum,
which was held on 10 May 2008. (Source: Kayah New Generation Youth)
ARREST DETAILS:
On 27 April 2008, in Loikaw and Demo Soe towns in Kayah State, and Phekkon and Mobye towns in
Shan State, along with 17 other villages, a movement began against the regime’s constitutional
referendum. The symbol of “No”, “X” and “Vote No” were sprayed on government signposts, on the
streets, walls and pamphlets were distributed. Copies of the lavish wedding ceremony of General Than
Shwe’s daughter, the 2007 Saffron Revolution and the “Power of Non-violence” CDs were also freely
and widely distributed in those areas.

In the early morning of 30 April 2008, a group of youth sprayed a symbol of “X” on a signpost which
had been erected the day before, situated in front of the City-Hall. The signpost stated “To be a

Page 1 of 3
prosperous and developed nation, let’s support the referendum.” On the same day, the youth made small
rafts from banana trees and bathing cups, with small cloth flags with “Vote No”, “X” or the symbol of“
No” written on them, and floated them down the Beluchoung River, the river that flows through Loikaw
City, the state capital of Kayah.

On 8 May, in Loikaw and Phekkhon Towns, balloons were released with pieces of paper attached
stating “To free from dictatorship, let’s vote NO.” Fireworks were set off and pamphlets spread through
the towns.

Shortly after these events, the authority enforced tight security and a curfew was issued. No one was
allowed outside after 8:00pm except police and soldiers. Union Solidarity and Development Association
(USDA), a social group closely affiliated with the military regime, the fire-brigade and military
intelligence officers were also deployed as security in the two towns.

On 10 May, the youth divided into several groups to watch and collect the results from the ballots. A
meeting of the youth members was arranged at 7:00pm the evening of the referendum at a house in
Loikaw. Following suspicions, the authorities entered the house, and the group was found with
computers, cameras, and documents containing information and photos about youth activities.

On 10 May 2008 Khun Bedu aka Lwee Zee Nyein, Khun Kawriyo aka Mariyo, Khun Dee De aka Ar
Di and Mu Evelin were all arrested. Mu Evelin was released shortly after arrest.

The group were interrogated for 15 days at an unknown location, after which they were transferred to
Loikaw jail, and Mu Evelin was allowed to go back home under surveillance. Khun Bedu, Khun Dee De
and Khun Kawriyo were all tortured during their 15 days of interrogation, according to Mu Evelin who
witnessed the torture while she was detained at the police station. She has told KNGY members that
they were beaten with sticks, made to kneel on stones and kicked and plastic tape put over their mouths
while being hit in the body. In addition, plastic bags were put over their heads and then water poured
over them. During the torture Khun Bedu reportedly was asked who else was involved with KNGY. He
gave them 3 names of members who had very minor roles and who had influential parents. He also said
that he had paid them to be part of KNGY. This way the people named wouldn’t be subject to any
charges.

Their trial was conducted in the jail by a special military court. Their parents were allowed to meet the
detainees only during their first week of confinement, and then again one month after they were
sentenced (Source: Kayan New Generation Youth).

DETAILS OF IMPRISONMENT:
The group sent a message through a relative after a visit:
“Actually, we miss you all. We don’t know what we should suggest you to do the best regard to politics
on organization. We are daunted and ashamed by arrested. We longing for free from here. Many idea in
our head though we are bounding by wall. Just to encourage you try your best, alright? May be a good
suggestion for you; be brave to married and raise child. If you got sentence like us 37 years, you won’t
worry about your generation.”(AAPP interview, February 2010)

Khun Bedu was put into solitary confinement for 8 days upon his arrival in Taungoo Prison. He told his
mother about the ordeal.
“In the beginning of transfer me to Taungoo, the officer from Taungoo teach me some lesson.
Ha..ha…ha… they put in a small cell with no contact to outside, no walk, no exercise. Most want was

Page 2 of 3
the cell, they put me was used by abnormal and he die 5 days ago. It is smell too bad. That was the
worst situation I have ever encounter. After 10 days, everything is open up.”(AAPP interview, February
2010).

Of his imprisonment he said:

“Now 37 years of sentence eating my heart. I am only married with prison bar. Quite boring”.

Khun Bedu aka Lwee Zee Nyein and Khun Kawrio aka Mariyo were both indicted for 6 counts and
sentenced to 37 years imprisonment by the Special Military Court under the following sections of law:
Section 33 of The Electronic Transactions Law - 15 years imprisonment
Section 505 (B) of The Penal Code - 2 years imprisonment
Section 17 (1) of The Unlawful Association Act (1908) - 3 years imprisonment
Section 17 (2) of The Unlawful Association Act (1908) - 5 years imprisonment
Section 13 (1) of the Myanmar Immigration (Emergency Provisions) Act 1947 - 5 years imprisonment
Section 51 of Tax Law - 7 years imprisonment

Khun Dee De was not charged under Section 505 (B). He received a total of 35 years imprisonment.
(Source: Kayan New Generation Youth).

*Profile prepared by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) on 28 September 2009.*
Updated 02 February 2010

Page 3 of 3